Percutaneous drainage as a novel approach for the treatment of Brodie's abscess

Abstract

Brodie’s abscess is an insidious, localized, subacute osteomyelitis, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Typically seen in the metaphyses of long bones in a young male patient, the diagnosis is frequently challenging. There are often mild clinical symptoms and radiographic features are frequently similar to primary bone tumours such as osteoid osteoma.1,2 Although the imaging features of Brodie’s abscess are well established, histopathological diagnosis is indicated to establish a diagnosis and guide treatment. Conventional treatment is curettage, biopsy, and culture followed by immobilization and a prolonged period of antimicrobial therapy.3e6 We describe a case of percutaneous computed tomography (CT) drainage as a novel adjunct in the treatment of Brodie’s abscess with diagnostic and therapeutic value.